JK govt to unveil tourism package: Minister

SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir government plans to unveil a comprehensive tourism package in an effort to increase the footfall of foreign visitors to the state this season.

"A comprehensive tourism package will be unveiled by the Government to organise short summer and winter tours for overseas visitors," Minister of state for Tourism and culture Sajjad Ahmad Kichloo said.

This was stated by the minister while interacting with various Saudi, Middle East and Foreign Tour Operators and delegates during Roadshows at Jeddah, Riyadh and Damaam in Saudi Arabia yesterday, an official spokesman said here today.

The spokesman said the roadshows were organised as Business Tourism Initiative to encourage Saudis to choose the state as a major tourist destination.

Highlighting the advantages that Jammu and Kashmir holds in tourism sector for visitors from Middle East, especially Saudi Arabia, the minister said the state has improved all indices to meet the requirement of foreign visitors in the State.

Giving a detailed insight into creation of high-end infrastructure development in tourism sector in the state, the Minister said the government will make all out concerted efforts to increase overseas footfall, especially from countries the Middle East, in the coming season.

"We are planning to organise various familiarisation tours and operators from Middle East are invited to be part of the contingents," he said.

Correlating the similarities between Saudi and state's heritage and culture, the Minister said the visitors from Saudi Arabia will also have a taste of great cuisine and recipes that J-K state offers.

"The travellers to J-K will relish the Persian influence on our traditional food. They will also like the various hand-made items that our state has distinguished itself in the world over," he added.

Referring to the creation of new Tourism Development Authorities, Kichloo said the government has created various Tourism Circuits and identified new tourist destinations in an effort to prolong the stay of tourists in the State.

"We have focused enormously on the hospitality sector as well as dovetailed our famed handicrafts' sector so that our economy benefits from the visits of high-end tourists," the Minister said, on the sidelines of these roadshows in Saudi Arabia.

The Minister, while addressing delegates during various roadshows, pinpointed several attractions like GulmargGandola, which was voted fifth most popular cable car destination in Asia as well as the beautiful sprawling lawns of the Royal Springs Golf Course in summer capital, Srinagar, the spokesman said.

Kitchloo also invited Arabian delegates to explore the rich bounty of convention tourism in the State, especially at SKICC on the banks of the famous Dal Lake.